The Indianapolis journal., 1887-09-26


among the most useful Such centennial topics
would embrace the of Independence and
other national struggles, and such moral and re-
Hgious questions as Sabbath observance, temper
ance, slavery, marriage and divorce, Christian
education. revivals and missions.
The thanksgiving offering contemplated by
the successive action of our general assem- blies
does not include the regular collections OF the
churches for boards but is additional to
them and special, and must in no wise reduce or
interfere with the annual contributions. Among
the objects of the memorial offerings Pres
byterian educational Institutions hospitals and
asylums. in and foreign lands, and all
home and foreign mission operations OF our
church
"Out of the general topics and objects Of this
centennial prepartion the assembly has gwen
special prominence to ministerial relief Now
in all the struggles and activities of the past
two hundred years the ministers of the Presby-
terian Church. maintaining an honored social
position on a bare competency, have been con-
spicuous for their learning, orthodoxy, piety and
selfdenial. The primitive principle OF volun-
tary support of the gospel was first revived by
our church. But, all the same that principle
has required ministry consecrated to compara-
tive poverty. Such ministry the Holy Spirit
has raised up All these national and ecclesias-
tical achievements would have been impossible
but for this ministry consecrated to poverty.
"The minister enters upon a vocation to which
the avenues to wealth are closed He may be-
come rich or gain an independent competency
by inheritancesor marriage or bequest, or hap
py investment of little means. but never by
his vocation His average salary covers less
denial of the ministry furnishes more than half
of the support and means OF the extension OF
the church; at the present time, as in the past,
it has contributed to the prosperity of the
church and country more than any other agency
whatever. Besides this. the ministry have to
confront, the close of this life OF self-denial,
absolute want for themselves and families in
of sickness, infirnaity, old age and death.
We ask the church. at least, to take this away,
to provide relief from this burden On SO many
ministers hearts and homes to take away this
blocks
to so many young men,"
Last night DR.. Hickman presented the same
subject from the pulpit of the Second church.
Interference of God in Mans Affairs.
The sermon at Roberts Park Church yester-
day morning was preached by one of the
taries of the Church Extension Society, Rev.
W. A. Spencer, D. D.. of Philadelphia His
theme 1.-THE Special Interference of God in
the Individual Affairs of Man." based on the
words found in the fifteenth verse OF the thirty
first Psalm: 'My times in thy hand"
It a feature of the Christian religion, he
said, to give consolation, happiness and joy to
man. AS all these derived from Gods
goodness and care of his people, we often
told that it is the inclination of Providence to
especially control events in the interest of the
individual. But withal these is doubt a
little skeptcism in the heart of everyone regard
ing the limit of special providences. Some think
that it is only in the great crises of mans affairs
that He works miracles; hence there is more or
less of limit to the scope of prayers for
His help II is said that God is so far above the
ordinary run of human events that He will not
notice small affairs, yet His greatness does not
consist wholly in large things 1t is the little
things of life that show His infnitive power.
The atom, small that it cannot be detected
except under powerful microscope has an in
dividuality that makes Gods greatness We are
bered. Since this is true. can it be otherwise
tha thai He ia always mindful of the smallest
The preacher illustrated this for detail
which makes up Gods greatness by referring to
mans success achieved by the same power in
finite form. There is a merchant in Chicago, he
said who derives a large income solely Oh ac-
count of his remarkable memory. He has at his
tongues end the name and worth of evcry one
of s, 900 merchants in the Mississippi valley.
1t is urged that it would be contrary to Gods
dignity to interfere in the small events of life
1t might offend the dignity of a tyrant, mon
arch or President to do so, details by them
are left to subordinates and down petty |
officials. God dignity, though. is that of IA
ther, and it is his love that leads him TO have
concern in our individual affairs Special provi
dences are not confined to fatalism, to Call |
vinism They are part of Gods watehfulness
and love for his people.
Dr. Spencer eloquently recited incidents of the
interference of Providence in the crises that
once threatened the life of the Nation. The |
first Atlantic cable failed, and for refused
great Bull Run disaster occurred. Had the
news of that event reached England in time, the
recognition of the Southern Confederacy would |
have followed. But the cable dead, it required |
days and days to inform England of the first
serious loss to the Union cause, and the North |
had recovered. Gettysburg was saved by i'm
pressions that came to Meade as if from heaven.
Incidents of Gods work of this kind were in
Vulnerable.
The interest of the services was enhanced by
the Doctor singing with great effect the beauti-
fu song, my Mothers Hands," and by remarks
from the venerable John Kicer, who active
in the ministry for more than half a century,
and by Rev. Dr. Brush. of the Dakota confer
ence.
Harvest Home Services.
The Harvest Home services at the First
Baptist Church, yesterday afternoon. un-
der the direction of the Sunday
school, attracted very large audience,
who were delighted with the entertainment.
The decorations profuse and suitable to
- N.,@ Thnra 11l- L.,